Victor Wembanyama says he 'exceeded expectations' after starring in opening win for France over Brazil at Paris 2024
Published 27/07/2024 at 23:01 GMT+1
Victor Wembanyama produced a stirring performance as France opened up their campaign in Group B of the basketball tournament at Paris 2024 Olympics by beating Brazil at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium. The NBA rookie of the year scored 19 points and secured nine turnovers as he dealt with the pressure on his shoulders brilliantly. "Today exceeded my expectations by far," Wembanyama said.
James and Gauff wave flag as Team USA arrive at Opening Ceremony
Video credit: TNT Sports
The hopes of the French basketball side have been pinned on the young shoulders of Victor Wembanyama, but the towering NBA star showed no signs of struggling with pressure as he delivered in France’s opening match at the Paris Olympics.
Wembanyama joint top-scored with 19 points in a 78-66 win over Brazil and completed a whopping nine turnovers, the most in the match.
Nicolas Batum of the Los Angeles Clippers also scored 19 points for the French side, starring alongside Wembanyama.
The hosts' opening victory puts them second in Group B, behind Germany on points difference.
Despite trailing 23-15 at the end of the first quarter, France fought back and won the following two quarters, drawing the last.
Paris-born Wembanyama has just finished an incredible rookie season in the NBA, picking up the award for the 2024 NBA rookie of the year and securing a place in the All-Defensive First Team, becoming the first rookie to do so.
“Today exceeded my expectations by far. I have never experienced 27,000 people cheering for us, cheering for me. It gives me so much strength,” said Wembanyama to Eurosport.
“I would say this is a good start, but there is much more to do. We want to capitalise more on our moment and have less up and downs, so overall being a wiser team.”
The San Antonio Spurs center stands at 7ft 4in, which makes him the joint-tallest player in NBA history.
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Victor Wembanyama lors de France - Brésil aux Jeux de Paris 2024
Image credit: Getty Images
Earlier on Saturday in Group B, Germany defeated Japan 97-77 at the Pierre Mauroy Stadium.
Australia also got their Paris 2024 Olympic Games off to a positive start, beating Spain 92-80 in Group A.
Greece and Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo started their campaign later on Saturday, losing 86-79 to Canada.
Greece secured qualification for their first Olympic Games in 16 years, beating Croatia in the FIBA Qualifying Tournament.
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The Group C matches are set to begin on Sunday with South Sudan taking on Puerto Rico in the morning and Serbia facing favourites Team USA.
Serbia’s roster for Paris 2024 includes four NBA players, with Nikola Jokic, Vasilije Micic, Nikola Jovic and Bogdan Bogdanovic all featuring.
Nikola Jokic is a six-time NBA All-Star and won the NBA for the first time with the Denver Nuggets in 2023.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
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